The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-09-10
POWDERLY AND THE KNIGHTS.
The General Master Workman Has Been Ca
Illuminated Enough and Will Resign.

New York Special.
'Yes, it is quite true that Mr.. Powderly will
shortly 60 to Ireland to take active part in
the national movement" said Tom O'Relly,
master-workman of the Telegrapher's Brother
hood, and a warm personal friend of Mr.
Powdery.
'sWill not the executive responsibility at
tachsd to Mr. Powderly's position in the order of
the Knights of Labor prevent him undertaking
this mission?'
NO Mr. Powderly will not leave for Europe
until after the Minneapolis session of the General
Assembly. when his present responsibilities will
rest but lightly upon him.
do you mean to intimate that the General
Master Workman intends to resien?"
Eyes; Mr.. Powderys message to the next
General Assembly will be his last. He has been
illuminated with bitterness and maevolence
that is painful to contemplate One would have
thought that Mr. Powderys services in the labor
cause might have entitled him to common respect
and decency, at least, from the so-called oppos-
tionists, who scruplo not to compass their own
selfish ends through the monstrous means of
sheer fabrication"
"What is the present condition of the order2n
81 believe there is man, however inaiffer-
ent about the interests of the labor movement,
who will not readily confess that the situation
to which the Knights of Labor are now reduced
whether it has arisen from the violence of fac
ton or otherwise, justifes the most melancholy
apprehensions, and calls for the exertion of
whatever wisdom vigor is left among It
is unquestionably true that the order numbers
less active members than 1t did a year ago. No
man laments more sincerely than I do the un-
happy differences which have arisen among
many of the leading spirits In the movement
and divided them from each other. The cause,
undoubtedly, suffers well By the diminution
of that strength which union carries with it, as
by the separate loss OF personal reputation
which every man sustains when his character
and conduct are frequently held forth In odious
or contemplate colors."
''Mr. OReilly, do you believe that the execu-
tive head of the order should have the privilege
of choosing his own cabinet?" asked reporter.
Eyes; and l believe that the PROPOSE ton, il
adopted, will result in much good By this
method the General Master Workman whose
ever he may be, would be enabled to surround
himself with of his own manner of think
ing, and the Inconsistencies and discrepancies
of policies that have marked the record of the
present board would be avoided and perfect
unity of purpose and action secured"
Twill not this plan be vigorously opposed in
the next General Assembly,
"Oh, certainly; but I am fully convinced that
the wisdom and good sense OF the representa-
tives will prevail, and they will not be deceived
by the sickiy sentime tally concerning the
man power. We have nothing to apprehend
from prerogative, but everything from undue
influence The civilized world watches with
genuine admiration the results of the calm and
conservative admin istration of Parnell. Never
before, in the history of the Irish movement,
peoples representatives SO firmly united.
This is the result of one-man power, if you
will.
''will the present officers be deposed at
Minneapolis"
lit is very probable that the personnel of the
board will slightly be changed. trust that
John w. Hayes will be retained. No one has a
more perfect knowledge of the workings of the
order than Mr.. Hayes, and his sincerity in the
cause cannot be called in question:"
who is likely to succeed Mr.. Powdery in
the event of the General Assembly being unable
to hold him?"
II cannot say. There many who believe
in their own capability to fill the position. They
delude themselves in the belief that they will DO
better than the present incumbent. That is
easy to say; not so easy to prove. In all great
events there may be the same strength. courage
and desire to act greatly in those who follow as
in the one that leads; but it is only in that
that there is also the daring to originate the
genius to seize the moment of action and sue
cess Believe nv friend, that the coming Gen
eral Assembly will be wise enough to perceive
the absolute necessity of electing leader who
will maintain the pure, cautious and conserya-
tive policy of L. Y. Powderly."